Snow Hill Baptist Church, Laurens Co. GA Submitted by Scott E. Warren ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** I 1871 - 109 Years 1980 A History of Snow hill Baptist Church ROUTE ONE CADWELL., GEORGIA k2 ;-'See, I have set before tbis day life and good and death and evil; in that I command tbee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgements, that thy mayest live and multiply; and the Lord thy God sball bless thee in the land where thou goest to possess it. - Deuteronomy 30:15-16 Dedication Dedicated to the loving memory of my parents, William Andrew Bedingfield and Sarah Elizabeth Rountree Bedingfield. ALMA BEDINGFIELD SMITH MRS. MILO SMITH, SR. CO-HELPER, MELVIRAH TAYLOR COLEMAN WHITE MRS. GEORGE T. WHITE As an active member of Snow Hill Baptist Church for 40 years, I'm writing this part of the History of Snow Hill Church. Dedicated in memory of my dearly beloved husband, Henry Clayton (H. C.) Coleman, deceased in 1959. He also was an active member of Snow Hill Church. Also to my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Tbos. J. Taylor and my late husband's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Berry Coleman. In 1959, Mrs. Milo Smith, Sr. presented new pulpit furniture and a communion table in memory of her parents. She also presented a Bible to the church in memory of her sister, Miss Ettie Bedingfield. History Snow Hill Baptist Church, located in Laurens County, near Cadwell, Georgia, was organized in 1871. Rev. W. S. Ramsey, beloved pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dublin, Ga. for 22 years, served as Chairman of the Presbytery who organized the church. The land for the church and cemetery was given by the late William Andrew Bedingfield and contains 61/2 acres in lot number 52, in the Seventeenth District. The first services were held in a small log school house called Snow Hill. A log church was then built near the center of what is now the cemetery. The third and present edifice was constructed on the same lot around 1900, with John Baggett and Robert (Bob) Faircloth builders. Since the original construction, two wings have been added as more space was needed. The first two deacons were John Grinstead and Andrew Bedingfield. The unusual lectern, which is still used, was made by hand. It is made with crosses cut into the front which gives a spirit of solemnity to the building. Rev. J. Tolbert Kinchen, who taught school in the little log house, was the first pastor. Snow Hill Church was the mother church of several others in the county. Members went out to organize Baker, Mt. Zion, Rentz, Cadwell and Pleasant Hill Churches. The church has participated in all denominational programs. For several years preaching services were held once a month which included the Conference to call the roll of the male members and mark the absentees. Members were expelled for missing three consecutive Conferenccs without acceptable excuses. In the early days preaching was held once a month, preceded by the Conference on Saturday. The church began having services two Sundays each month in 1916; then went to three Sundays in 1939; and full time in 1952. Baptism was first administered at the Bedingfield pond near the church, later at the Kinchen pond, and in recent years the Cadwell Baptist Church generously shares their baptistry. In 1929 a new metal roof was put on the church. William Berry Coleman (grandfather) was in charge of the work. His sons, John and H. C. Coleman, helped do the work. During Rev. Foy Spivey's pastorate, John Coleman was in charge of having a small porch put at the front entrance of the church. J. C. McCullars and several other men helped do the work. Brother W. D. Register built the concrete steps that were put up at the side entrance to the road. The church was very active. There were several baptisms as well as new members by letters. Brother Bennie Frost served as pastor, 1956-57. He was a wonderful pastor and the church was revived. He never became an ordained minister. The church had made plans for his ordination. However, be resigned and was transferred to another state. There was repair work done on the church. The roof was repainted. There were 11 baptisms and 9 new members by letter. Gas beaters were installed in the church sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. During Rev. Foy Spivey's pastorate, 1961-63, R. A. Register, County Commissioner, took the county equipment and cleared off about 1 1/2 acres of new ground which was added to the cemetery, as well as cleaning up the old part also. The cemetery was in a deplorable condition at this time with an old farm fence almost down. A committee was appointed to collect funds for a chain link fence. Melvirah T. Coleman White steered the committee. Over $1,300.00 was raised. With Brother Foy Spivey's assistance a chain link fence was erected. With W. B. (Billy) Coleman (grandson) acting as chairman of this committee, the church decided to have the cemetery surveyed and to sell lots. Before this could be done a written deed from the surviving heirs of the Bedingfields had to be written and signed as the only record that could be found was a plat W. E. Bedinfield, M.D., had put on record as the administrator of his father's estate. New pews were put in the church also under Brother Spivey's pastorate. During Brother Grady Willis' pastorate, Attorney Dale Thompson wrote a deed for the church as a free gift with Brother Willis and Melvi- rab White contacting 26 Bedingfields to sign the deed. J. D. Glover surveyed the church property which is on lots 51-52 in the 17th Land District. The sanctuary was remodeled during Brother Willis' pastorate. W. B. (Billy) Coleman (grandson) was chairman of this committee. During Rev. Nuion Evans pastorate, J. D. Glover surveyed the new part of the cemetery into lots. The church voted to sell lots in the old and new part of the cemetery. In the old part only to families that had already started lots. On April 13, 1966, Melvirah T. White was voted as Chairman of the Cemetery, a job she still holds. She had Mr. Brantley from Ingram Burial Vault to put small concrete markers on each cemetery lot and number each one. This job was done by a black man that did a superb job. Carpet grass was sown in the cemetery by George White. During Brother James G. Elliott's pastorate, the sanctuary was painted. All of the outside of the church was painted. Aluminum paint was put on the roof. Melvirah White got up money for air conditioners which "Pee Wee" Register sold at cost. A deep well was dug, as the first one, dug years ago, was not satisfactory. Bathrooms were built and installed. The church was underpinned. A pump house was built. All this was done with the pastor's cooperation. Thomas Jefferson Coleman was ordained as a deacon August 28, 1977. This was a beautiful service that was planned by Brother Elliott. Rev. James G. Elliott resigned as pastor of Snow Hill Church effective the third Sunday in September, 1978, after serving the church for ten years. Rev. Tom F. Pope, III, was called as pastor of Snow Hill Church September 20, 1978. Under his pastorate, the interior of the back wing of the church has been painted. Sbeetrock has been put in the Young People's Sunday School room. New metal windows have been put in both wings. The pews in the sanctuary have been re-varnished. New signs have been put up at different places directing people to the church. Both wings of the church have been carpeted. W. R. Coleman, Chairman Board of Deacons, was very cooperative in getting Neal Williams to put in the metal windows and sbeetrocking one Sunday School room. With Brother Pope's help, the ladies painted the front wing of the church. Thomas J. Coleman put lights up in the Young People's Sunday School room. Also, -Thomas J. helped Pastor Pope put down carpet. The latter part of 1979, a new door that goes to the outside from the men's restroom, was installed. Also, new concrete steps were installed. At the present time of this writing, Rev. Tom F. Pope, III, is serving as pastor of the Snow Hill Church. Active deacons now are William Randolph Coleman and Thomas Jefferson Coleman. Snow Hill Church decided to have a Homecoming May 27, 1979. The Pastor, Rev. Tom F. Pope, III, with the help of the active members, planned a barbecue for the "Homecoming". There were around 225 members and former members present. The ladies cooked cakes, pies and other goodies to go with the barbecue. A delicious meal was served on the grounds under the trees. In the afternoon sacred music was presented by the "Davis Family" from Dexter. The morning message was brought by Rev. Tom F. Pope, III, pastor. Former pastors present were Rev. James Peacock and Rev. James G. Elliott. PASTORS BEFORE 1911 REV. TOLBERT J. KINCHEN REV. FRANK GAY REV. JOHN GREEN REV. DAVID GREEN REV. CHARLES RICHARDS WINDHAM PASTORS These were Recorded from Minutes of Laurens County Baptist Association REV. T. J. HOBBS --------------------------------------------1911-1912 REV. E. W. EVANS ------------------------------------------ 1913-1914 REV. T. J. BRIGHT---------------------------------------------------1915 REV. J. T. SMITH ---------------------------------------------1916-1917 REV. A. V. PICKERN-----------------------------------------1918-1922 REV. W. W. GRANT------------------------------------------1923-1926 REV. J. CECIL DANIEL--------------------------------------1927-1931 REV. C. H. RENFROE----------------------------------------------- 1932 REV. J. B. PICKERN-----------------------------------1932-1934, 1936 REV. D. T. COX -------------------------------------------------------1935 REV. A. T. PEACOCK ------------------------------------------------1937 REV. C. L. LOWERY -----------------------------------------1938-1940 REV. J. L. CLAXTON -------------------------------------------------1941 REV. HENRY JOHNS -----------------------------------------1942-1948 REV. WADE COLEMAN ---------------------------------------------1949 REV. G. G. HARRISON ---------------------------------------1950-1951 REV. HENRY MORRIS -----------------------------------------------1952 REV. FOY E. SPIVEY --------------------------1953-1955,1960-1962 REV. BENNIE FROST -----------------------------------------1956-1957 REV. WESLEY ARNOLD ---------------------------------------------1958 REV. JAMES PEACOCK ----------------------------------------------1959 REV. E. EDWARDS MIMBS -----------------------------------1963-1964 REV. NUION L. EVANS ---------------------------------------1965-1966 REV. GRADY WILLIS ------------------------------------------1967-1968 REV. JAMES G. ELLIOTT -------------------------------------1968-1978 REV. TOM F. POPE, III--------------------------------------------------1978 -6 Former pastors now living are: Rev. Foy Spivey, Rev. Henry Morris, Rev. James Peacock, Rev. James G. Elliott, Brother Bennie Frost, Rev. Wesley Arnold, Rev. Edward Mimbs and Rev. Grady Willis. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS L. F. WATSON Former Sheriff of Laurens County ---------------- Before 1911 W. A. BEDINGFIELD 1911-1915, 1929-1930 R. A. COLTER 1916-1920, 1927-1928, 1931-1932, 1953 W. B. COLEMAN (Grandfather) 1921-1923 W. H. BEDINGFIELD ------------------------------------ 1925-1926 D. A. RABUN -----------------------------------------1934-1935, 1941 H. L. FAIRCLOTH -----------------------------------1936, 1943-1947 C. A. LORD ---------------------------------------------------1937-1938 B. J. BURCH -------------------------------------------1940, 1958-1962 JOHN J. WARREN --------------------------------------------------1942 JOHN M. COLEMAN ----------------------------------------1947-1948 W. D. REGISTER ---------------------------------------------1950-1952 EDSEL BURCH ------------------------------------------------------1954 WYATT STROZIER ------------------------------------------1955, 1963 0. L. ROWE -----------------------------------------------------1956-1957 DYKES McCULLURS ----------------------------------------1964-1966 THOMAS J. COLEMAN --------------------------------------1967-1968 MRS. MELVIRAH T. WHITE --------------------------------1969-1974 MRS. JAMES ELLIOTT ---------------------------------------1975-1976 MRS. CORIENE WARREN (Coleman) ----------------------1977-1980 -- CLERKS G. M. ROUNTREE ---------------------------------------------------1911 R. A. COLTER --------------------------------------------------------1912 L. A. UPSHAW ------------------------------------------------ 1913-1923 W. H. BEDINGFIELD ---------------------------------------- 1924-1925 0. L. ROWE -----------------------------------------------------1926-1931 H. L. FAIRCLOTH -------------------------------------------- 1932-1934 C. A. LORD ----------------------------------------------------- 1935-1938 ELMER RABUN ------------------------------------------------1939-1941 TAYLOR DANIEL ----------------------------------------------------1942 G. M. ROUNTREE ----------------------------------------------1943-1944 EDSEL BURCH ---------------------------------------------------------1945 DOYLE E. BURCH ----------------------------------------------1946-1949 J. C. McCULLARS -----------------------------------------------1950-1952 OSWALD COLTER -----------------------------------------------------1953 A. B. DANIEL, JR. -------------------------------------------------------1954 L. F. MURKERSON ---------------------------------------1955, 1957-1958 I. L. McCOOK ------------------------------------------------------------1956 EUGENE BRACK ------------------------------------------------1959-1961 MRS. RUTH C. ALLIGOOD --------------------1962-1973,1976-1980 MRS. NATHANIEL DOMINY --------------------------------1974-1975 The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17. In Acts, He is Christ risen. In the Epistles, He is Christ at the Father's right hand. In the Revelation, He is Christ returning and reigning. ------- Billy Graham, from "Peace With God" TREASURERS G.M.ROUNTREE ------------------------------------------------ 1912, 1944-1946 R. A. COLTER ---------------------------------------------------- 1913, 1927-1928 L. A. UPSHAW ----------------------------------------------------- 1914,1922,1934 H. C. COLEMAN ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1936 C. A. LORD --------------------------------------------------------------- 1938-1940 ELMER RABUN --------------------------------------------------------- 1941-1942 TAYLOR DANIEL --------------------------------------------------------------- 1943 EDSEL BURCH ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1947 DOYLE E. BURCH ------------------------------------------------------ 1947-1950 J. C. McCULLARS ---- ----- ------ ------------------------------------------------------- 1951-1953 OSWALD COLTER -------------------------------------------------------------- 1954 A. B. DANIEL, JR ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1955 MRS. BAYNE (E. W.) SILAS ------------------------------------------ 1956-1974 MRS. THOMAS J. (SUE) COLEMAN -------------------------------- 1975-1980 TRAINING UNION DIRECTORS DYKES McCULLARS MRS. GEORGE T. WHITE CARROLL McCULLARS MRS. RUTH C. ALLIGOOD MRS. H. J. WATSON -9 D EACONS JOHN GRINSTEAD RUFUS McCULLARS W. A. BEDINGFIELD J. C. McCULLARS R. A. BEDINGFIELD OBIE L. ROWE R. J. REGISTER WYATT STROZIER W. B. COLEMAN JOHN M. COLEMAN R. A. COLTER W. R. COLEMAN, H. L. FAIRCLOTH Present Chairman L. A. UPSHAW DYKES McCULLARS W. H. BEDINGFIELD CARROLL McCULLARS.. G. MARVIN ROUNTREE THOMAS J. COLEMAN W.M.U. PRESIDENTS MRS. W. A. BEDINGFIELD ----------------------------------------1925-1926 MRS. B. J. BEDINGFIELD -------------------------------------------1927-1930 MRS. R. A. COLTER ---------------------------------------------------------1947 MRS. FOY E. SPIVEY --------------------------------------------------------1953 MRS. WYATT STROZIER ---------------------------------------------------1954 MRS. OBIE ROWE -------------------------------------------------------------1956 MRS. W. R. COLEMAN ------------------------------------------------1957-1958 MRS. CECIL GAY --------------------------------------------------------------1959 MRS. CORIENE WARREN ---------------------------------------------------1960 MRS. AUBRY MURKERSON ------------------------------------------------1961 -10- CHOIRISTERS R. A. COLTER BELAH J. BURCH 0. L. ROWE CARROLL McCULLARS MILLARD EVANS MRS. RUTH C. ALLIGOOD DOYLE E. BURCH SOME OF THE ORGANISTS BEFORE 1911 A. T. COLEMAN, M.D. MRS. BERTHA BEDINGFIELD HUDSON PIANISTS MRS. 0. L. ROWE MRS. WYATT STROZIER MRS, JUDY DANIEL KENNISON MRS. IRIS MOYE LOWERY MRS. MELVIRAH T. COLEMAN WHITE: MRS. SAREPTA TAYLOR DANIEL PRESIDENTS OF MEN'S BROTHERHOOD L. F. MURKERSON, SR --------------------------------------1956 DOYLE BURCH ----------------------------------------------- 1957 The accomplishments in the preservation of this small country church has been by God's Grace and the generosity and efforts of Christian people. No one person deserves credit. We thank everyone, for their prayers and financial aid. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ knows everyone by name. The early minutes of the church were destroyed by fire and other ways before 1946. -11 Church Decorum As Copied from Old Church Book 1. Each member is requested to attend church meetings often as possible. 2. When any member speaks, he shall rise and address the moderator. 3. No member shall speak more than twice on the same subject without permission of the moderator. 4. The voice of the whole church or as near as possible shall be required to exclude a member. 5. Each member, if they know of any member in disorder, is to make a personal effort to reclaim such a one and if thev fail to reclaim them, to report same to the church. 6. Each member present is required to partake of the Lord's Supper. 7. Any male member being absent from conferences three times in succession, without having a scriptural reason, is in disorder. 8. When letters of "dismission" are not deposited with some other church of the same faith and order in three months, they must be returned to this church. 9. The decorum is to be read at every third conference or when called for by any member of the church. 10. Each member is requested to sustain its worship ordinances, disciplines and doctrines, to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel. ENERGY IN RELIGION Now, of all pursuits in the world, the Christian profession requires the most energetic action and it utterly fails where diligence and zeal are absent. What can a man do as a farmer, a merchant, a carpenter, or even a beggar, unless he follows up his calling with activity and perseverance? A sluggard desiretb and hath nothing, whatever his trade may be. What then can he hope to win who calls himself a Christian and neither learns of Christ as his teacher, follows Him as his Master, nor serves Him as his Prince? Salvation is not by works, but it is salvation from idleness. We are not saved because we are earnest; but he who is not earnest has great reason to question whether he is saved. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon